Tim In LA

The obvious cleverness required to construct this decidedly did not translate into pleasure for the solver. Too clever by half; the aha moment was replaced by relief that it was over.

YHEAR No, no, no, no. Bad clue. Terrible answer.

“Teentsty” may be one of the most inelegantly spelled words I’ve ever seen—and it has no place in this otherwise reasonable puzzle.

The vast majority of the fill was straightforward and easy; the theme, on the other hand, was just terrible: too convoluted by half, and not in the least bit satisfying.

Numbers – and words – fail me in describing what an unpleasant solve this was.

Good god no. An oddly intricate construction with absolutely no gratifying payoff.

Good lord, no. I finished it, and in a decent time, but what a far-fetched conceit with a subpar denouement.